Symposium of international courts of auditors discusses citizens' participation

Vienna, 6 March 2013 – "Courts of auditors work in the interest of the citizens. They ensure that public funds are used efficiently and that their use is transparent. Strict financial management and auditing by the independent courts of auditors prepare the ground for people's trust in governments and national institutions", Austrian State Secretary Reinhold Lopatka said in his speech at the 22nd Symposium of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) at the Vienna International Centre yesterday.

"Strengthening the rule of law and good governance are the guiding principles of Austria's foreign policy and we attach great importance to promoting the transparency and accountability of government institutions, as well as to closer international cooperation in the fight against corruption. Austria offers an important platform in this field with the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Laxenburg", Lopatka continued.

"Two years ago, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution based on an initiative of Austria in which the importance of the courts of auditors has been specified. Being the country of domicile of INTOSAI, we take our responsibility for the global promotion of the work of the courts of auditors very seriously. The Austrian Agency for Development Cooperation, for example, has been supporting the development of capacities and transfer of knowledge in cooperation with INTOSAI since 2010", the State Secretary concluded.

INTOSAI was founded in 1953; it is a forum for cooperation and exchange of experience between the courts of auditors of its member countries. The General Secretariat of the Organisation has been located in Vienna since 1963. The 22nd INTOSAI symposium is dedicated to "Audit and Counselling by SAIs: Risks and Opportunities, as well as Possibilities for Engaging Citizens".